Okay, and then once outside, when they were told they weren't allowed back in, how do you think that would've played out?

 

If they go back in, they're arrested. Pretty simple.

If they go back in, they're arrested. Pretty simple.

 

Right.

 

So it seems it most likely would've culminated in the same result either way IMO.

 

Like I said earlier, if you take issue with how Starbucks handled it, that's fair. Definitely could've handled it better. I just don't see how anyone can lay blame with the police here.

I'm pretty much in line with what Randy Parker has said so far. Here would be my "sticking points"...

 

What happens to people who want to use the restroom before they order? Do they have to put down a deposit and get a receipt for a future purchase? (Of course, I'm kidding, but you get my point.)

 

What happens if there's multiple people in the party, but not everyone makes a purchase? Who monitors who drinks/eats/pays? Is the rest of the party asked to leave? If not, are they permitted to use the restroom?

No question more information would help, but according to the interview the two guys did with Robin Roberts, they were approached by the employee at 9:35 and 911 was called at 9:37. The guy they were meeting with shows up at 9:45 and wonders why the people he's conducting business with are being arrested, so the meeting was legitimate.

 

It just seems to me that Starbucks would at least wait until 9:45 when Mr. Yaffe shows up. If he doesn't, then ask the guys to order or leave. But two minutes is all it took for them to call 911.

 

I hope this isn't profiling, but it sure smells like it to me. And I am one who believes that profiling is too often blamed in situations where it shouldn't.

First, if it wasn't busy I wouldn't have said anything. But if it was busy and there were paying customers that needed the table I would have told them they were more than welcome to wait outside or even stand out of the way and wait. And it wouldn't matter if it was 2 mins or :02 after I told them. If they didn't get up I'm not making a scene or arguing with them. I would tell them at that point to leave and if they refused I'd call the cops.

Right.

 

So it seems it most likely would've culminated in the same result either way IMO.

 

Like I said earlier, if you take issue with how Starbucks handled it, that's fair. Definitely could've handled it better. I just don't see how anyone can lay blame with the police here.

 

I'm not blaming the cops. My issue is with Starbucks, for sure.

 

However, I do think it's absurd to arrest someone in this particular situation.

I'm not blaming the cops. My issue is with Starbucks, for sure.

 

However, I do think it's absurd to arrest someone in this particular situation.

What options do you have if they are trespassing and won't comply with police to leave?

I'm pretty much in line with what Randy Parker has said so far. Here would be my "sticking points"...

 

What happens to people who want to use the restroom before they order? Do they have to put down a deposit and get a receipt for a future purchase? (Of course, I'm kidding, but you get my point.)

 

What happens if there's multiple people in the party, but not everyone makes a purchase? Who monitors who drinks/eats/pays? Is the rest of the party asked to leave? If not, are they permitted to use the restroom?

This is kind of my point early. Who asks to use a Starbucks bathroom.

I just don't see how anyone can lay blame with the police here.

 

I don't believe the police are at fault at all.

 

First, if it wasn't busy I wouldn't have said anything. But if it was busy and there were paying customers that needed the table I would have told them they were more than welcome to wait outside or even stand out of the way and wait.

 

Agreed on both things. But to your second sentence, that's not what they were told.

What options do you have if they are trespassing and won't comply with police to leave?

 

Let me rephrase...

 

It's absurd these folks were even in the position to be arrested.

Well, because the store asked them to leave. They didn't.

 

Then when the police showed up, they asked them to leave. They still didn't.

 

These were both mistakes by the two men IMO. Again, if I was told to order or leave even though I was getting ready to meet someone, I'd just leave. Contact the person I'm meeting and tell them we're doing it somewhere else.

 

I just don't think they should have been asked to leave. At least at the point in time they were asked.

These were both mistakes by the two men IMO. Again, if I was told to order or leave even though I was getting ready to meet someone, I'd just leave. Contact the person I'm meeting and tell them we're doing it somewhere else.

 

I just don't think they should have been asked to leave. At least at the point in time they were asked.

 

I don't disagree.

 

I don't think it's right to sit around at a business and use up their space without purchasing something though.

I don't think it's right to sit around at a business and use up their space without purchasing something though.

 

That's fine... Enforce it on everyone.

That's fine... Enforce it on everyone.

 

I agree. And if it comes out that they haven't enforced the policy with others, I'll agree there's some profiling going on. I just haven't seen anything one way or the other on that.

First, if it wasn't busy I wouldn't have said anything. But if it was busy and there were paying customers that needed the table I would have told them they were more than welcome to wait outside or even stand out of the way and wait. And it wouldn't matter if it was 2 mins or :02 after I told them. If they didn't get up I'm not making a scene or arguing with them. I would tell them at that point to leave and if they refused I'd call the cops.

 

I've been in jam-packed Starbucks where you couldn't get a seat. Never once have I watched an employee come around to see who was a customer, who was finished, or who was still drinking their coffee.

 

Has Starbucks corporate said what their official policy is regarding being there without buying something?

I agree. And if it comes out that they haven't enforced the policy with others, I'll agree there's some profiling going on. I just haven't seen anything one way or the other on that.

 

Other than the white lady who took the video?